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1 Journal of Global Pharma Technology Available Online at ISSN: RESEARCH ARTICLE Study to the Decomposition and Forensic Insect Succession Pattern on Rabbit Carcasses Placed Indoor and Outdoor in Al Kufa City -Iraq Suhad Hameed H. Albushabaa Faculty of Science, Kufa University, Iraq. Abstract This study was conducted at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Al-Kufa University, Al-Kufa City / Najaf- Iraq. The fauna of insects associated with rabbit carcasses(lepus cuniculus) placed indoor and outdoor habitats, and their succession patterns were investigated. A total of 1589 adults and immature insects were collected during summer and autumn, 2016, representing in 3 orders and 7 families. Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera comprise79.11%, 12.21% and8.68%.a total of 630 insect specimens was collected from rabbit carcasses placed indoor. Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera comprised 80.2%, 11.7% and 8.1%, respectively. While, 959 insect specimens were collected from rabbit carcasses placed outdoor.diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera comprised 78.4%, 12.5% and 9.1%, respectively. Four stages of decomposition were observed fresh, bloated, decay and dry. The duration of it varies with temperature and relative humidity of each season. The total period of decomposition was 15 and 19 days during Summer in carcasses placed outdoor and indoor respectively (Mean temperature 40 C and RH between 10% and 20%),while reaching 18 and 25 days during Autumn in carcasses placed outdoor and indoor respectively, (mean temperature 29 C and RH between 54% to 64% ).The results showed that the succession pattern of insect associated with the stages of decomposition was similar between indoor and outdoor habitats with differences in the timing of insect colonization were observed between the two habitats within trials for Summer and Autumn.Also, Chrysomya albiceps was the first insect attracting to the carcass during the fresh stage in both habitats and it was the most abundant fly colonized the carcasses in both habitats but most number at outdoor, followed by Musca domestica. In general, it was appeared that the numbers of forensic insect species which colonize rabbit carcasses were increased outdoor and decreased indoor. Moreover, they were higher numbers during the autumn season than the summer season. Keywords: Outdoor; Indoor; Succession; Rabbit; Carcass; Al-Kufa. Introduction Forensic entomology refers to the insects and related invertebrates and their association in a legal context [1]. This wide field of forensic entomology has been categorized into three divisions, urban entomology, stored products entomology and medico-legal entomology [2].Medico-legal entomology is a tool that is frequently used to estimate the time interval between death and the discovery of the carcass, famous as the post mortem interval or PMI [3].Furthermore, the distribution study, behavior and biology of insects found at the scene of crime and the environmental factors can finding information on how,where and when the crime was occurring[4].there are more than sixty families of insects which play an essential role in the carcass ecology[5]. However, the families of Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Muscidae of Diptera and the families Silphidae, Staphylinidae, Cleridae and Dermestidae of Coleoptera are the most important families were used in forensic entomology (6). Although the decomposition is a continuous process [7] and starting at the point of death and ending when the body has become a skeleton [8], many authors have divided it into three to six distinguishable stages [9,11].Insects begin to arrive at a corpse in less than ten minutes after death [12]. Insect colonization can be found on bodies sealed in plastic bags, rugs and cars, on buried bodies and those which have been indoors and outdoors, this means that the insect evidence can be used in and over much longer periods of time and a wide , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 136

2 variety of circumstances as opposed to other widely used methods for estimating the PMI [13]. Also, succession patterns of insect and carcass decomposition are determined by many factors, e.g. geographic location, habitat, season, temperature, humidity, insect abundance and carrion accessibility. However, many of these factors are interrelated and even the decomposition rate and insect succession are interdependent. [14]However, the current knowledge of insect succession on carcasses in this region is very limited, let alone the importance and relevance of the variation in these patterns across the different sites and seasons.the aim of this research to study the outdoor and indoor conditions on the decomposition process, insect succession on rabbit carcasses at the urban location during the summer and autumn seasons. Materials and Methods Study Sites The present study was conducted at Al Kufa city in Iraq within the campus of the University of Kufa. This site is located at (32,2,23N 44 22,6E) from the east center of An-Najaf province, about 170 km south of Baghdad, and 10 km northeast of An Najaf province. The outdoor and indoor study was conducted simultaneously in two different habitats located in the same region having similar vegetation. Both habitats were separated by a distance of 250 m. The outdoor habitat was no shaded which located beside the highway roads, and it is surrounded by buildings from all sides. The nearest building at distance 200 m While, the indoor habitat experiment was carried out in an area of 12 m2, in a room located on the ground floor of an abandoned new building, room has two open windows for the entrancing of the insects. Experimental Design and Animal Cages This study was carried out using6 rabbits in each season, 3 for each habitat. Each rabbit weighing approximately 2000 g as a model for human corpse.the experiments were carried out in summer season during July, 2016 and in the autumn season during October, Each experiment was continued until the entire carcass was skeleton zed. The animals slaughtered at the study site and placed in separate cages, indoor and outdoor respectively. They were separated from each other with a length of four meters indoor and ten meters outdoor. The rabbit carcasses were protected from large vertebrate scavenging by a metal mesh cage (60 X 60 X 60) cm3, which was designed to allow for the arrival of insects.the openings were made on two sides of the cage to facilitate access and taking out the rabbit carcass [15]. Besides, factors such as room and air temperature (thermo hygrometer digital Thermo) and relative humidity were recorded. Sampling and Laboratory Work Sampling of insects was taken one time every day (10:00 A.M) all along the decaying process. Samples of adult flying insects were made using insect nets of 25 cm in diameter; immature and non-flying adults and individual found around the carcass were collected using hand picking, forceps, fine tip brushes and vial glasses, following the methodology proposed by [16]. The numbers of adult insect collected were counted and representative samples were preserved in 70% ethanol and taken to the laboratory for identification. The individuals collected were taxonomically determined to species when possible, using the keys proposed by [5] [17-19]. To confirm, some samples were sent to the Natural History Museum of Baghdad, Iraq. Rabbit Carcasses Decomposition The carcasses of rabbits were examined once a day in order to determine the type and duration of each decomposition stage. Photographs using a digital camera were taken and notes of the physical changes observed were recorded. Climatic Conditions The ambient conditions of temperature and relative humidity in outdoor site were obtained from the climatic data according to the meteorological station of Education for Women College/ University of Kufa, Iraq. Temperatures and relative humidity indoor were daily measured using (thermo hygrometer digital Thermo). Insect Succession Tables The tables of insect succession were developed by combining data from hand collections and sweeping nets. The insect species that collected from each carcass were divided according to the stages of decomposition carcasses i.e. according to , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 137

3 postmortem interval (PMI) giving those numbers. Results Insect Fauna Associated with Rabbit Carcasses Data given in Table (1) showed that a total of 1589 adults and immature insects was collected during Summer and Autumn, 2016, represented in 3 orders and 7 families. The most abundant order was Diptera with 1257 individuals (79.11%), of which Calliphoridae was the dominant family followed by Muscidae and Sarcophagidae.Coleoptera was the second most abundant order 194 ind.(12.21%) and Formicidae 138 ind.(8.68%). Data given in Table 1 and Fig.1 showed that a total of 352 and 210 ind. representing 7 families and 8 species were collected in the summer from the rabbit carcass placed outdoor and indoor respectively. While 607 and 420 ind. representing 7 families and 10 species were collected during autumn from rabbit carcasses placed outdoor and indoor respectively (Table1and Fig.2). As a result shown in Table (1) and Fig.(1), the most dominant insect species during Summer was Chrysomya albiceps(calliphoridae) collected from rabbit carcasses in both habitats (outdoor or indoor) recorded 126 and 105 ind. respectively. Also, Musca domestica (Muscidae)with 63 and 30 individuals were collected from rabbit carcasses placed outdoor and indoor, respectively. Sarcophaga africa (Sarcophagidae)was collected in numbers of 38 and 10 ind. from rabbit carcasses placed outdoor and indoor, respectively. While, the Coleopteran species collected were Dermestes maculatus (16 and 8 ind.), Saprinus sp. (20 and 8 ind.) and Necrobia rufipes (9 and 10 ind.) from carcasses placed outdoor and indoor, respectively. From Hymenoptera Cataglyphis sp. (Formicidae) was the only one species,was collected in 42 and 27 ind. from outdoor and indoor sites, during Summer respectively.as shown from the results given in Table (1) and Fig. (2) The numbers of adult and immature specimens of insects collected from rabbit carcasses placed outdoor and indoor during autumn were more than those collected during summer. The most dominant insect species during autumn was Chrysomya albiceps(calliphoridae) collected from rabbit carcasses in both habitats (outdoor or indoor) recorded 188 and 153 ind. respectively. Also, Musca domestica (Muscidae) with 86 and 71 ind. were collected from rabbit carcasses placed outdoor and indoor, respectively. Calliphora vicina was collected in numbers of 78 and 42 ind. from rabbit carcasses placed outdoor and indoor, respectively. While, the Dermestes maculates (Coleoptera) collected in number 32 and 18 ind. from carcasses placed outdoor and indoor, respectively. Table1: Fauna of insects associated with rabbit carcass placed indoor and outdoor during summer and autumn season 2016 at Al -Kufa City Summer Autumn Order Family Species indoor outdoor indoor outdoor Total % Diptera Muscidae Musca. domestica Calliphora vicina Chrysomya albiceps Calliphoridae Chrysomya megacephala Sarcophagidae Lucilia sericata Sarcophaga africa Dermestidae Dermestes maculatus Coleoptera Hymenoptera Total Histeridae Saprinus sp Cleridae Necrobia rufipes Formicidae Cataglyphis sp , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 138

4 Rabbit Carcasses Decomposition In this study, four stages of decomposition were observed fresh, bloated, decay and dry stage. It was recognized visually by morphological characters. The duration of it varies with temperature and relative humidity of each season. The total period of decomposition was 15 and 19 days during summer in carcasses placed outdoor and indoor respectively (Table 2), while reaching18 and 25 days during autumn in carcasses placed outdoor and indoor, respectively (Table 3). The fresh stage begins at the moment of death until bloating stage was initiated. The results given in Tables (2) and (3) indicated that the fresh stage lasted 12 and 24 h postmortem for each summer and autumn in rabbit carcasses placed outdoor. While, this stage lasted between 24h to 36 h postmortem for each summer and autumn in rabbit carcasses placed indoor, respectively. The bloated stage begins with simple swelling of the carcass; the odor of the decay became noticeable. The beginning of the bloated stage was in 1-2 day and 2-3 day postmortem for each Summer and Autumn in rabbit carcasses placed outdoor while, this stage begins in 2 days and 2-4 day postmortem for each Summer and Autumn in rabbit carcasses placed indoor, respectively. The end of the bloated stage begins the decay stage, this stage characterized by the release of gases and deflation and liquefaction of carcass. It occurred in 3-6 day and 4-8 day postmortem for each summer and autumn in rabbit carcasses placed outdoor, respectively. Also, 3-8 day and 5-11 day postmortem for each summer and autumn in rabbit carcasses placed indoor, respectively. The final stage of decomposition is the dry stage.at this stage, most of the fleshy tissues disappeared; odor started to fade, dried and wrinkled skin, exposedbone. This stage was arrived on day 7 and on day 9 postmortem in summer and autumn for rabbit carcasses placed outdoor, respectively. While, for rabbit carcasses placed indoor, this stage was arrived on day 9 and on day 12 postmortem during summer and autumn respectively. Climatic Conditions During summer, the minimum and maximum outdoor temperatures were varied between33-49 C with an average of 40 C. While, the average relative humidity varied from 10% to 20% (Table 2). ). The minimum temperature outdoor recorded 33 C on day one postmortem, while the maximum temperature recorded 49 C on day 15 postmortem while, indoor, the minimum and maximum temperatures were varied between26-36 C with an average of 31 C. And the average relative humidity varied from 23% to 25% (Table 2). In Autumn, the minimum and maximum temperature outdoor were 22 C and 35 C with average 29 C.The average relative humidity was between 54% to 64%.While, indoor minimum and maximum temperatures were 19 and 26 C with an average of 24 C.Also, the average relative humidity varied from 60% to 67% (Table 3). Table 2: Decomposition stages and its durations for the Rabbit Carcasses during summer season 2016 Decomposition Temp. ( C ) R.H.% (Average) Stages Habitat Duration (day) Min. Max. Average Fresh indoor outdoor Bloat indoor outdoor Decay indoor outdoor Dry indoor outdoor , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 139

5 Frequency (No.) Frequency (No.) Suhad Hameed H. Albushabaa Journal of Global Pharmacy Technology. 2017; 12(9): Table3: Decomposition stages and its durations for the rabbit carcasses during autumn season 2016 Temp. ( C ) Decomposition R.H.% (Average) Stages Habitat Duration (Day) Min. Max. Average Fresh indoor outdoor indoor Bloat outdoor indoor Decay outdoor Dry indoor outdoor Indoor Outdoor Species Figure 1: Frequency of forensic insect species on rabbit carcass placed indoor and outdoor during summer in AL- Kufa city Indoor Outdoor Species Figure 2: Frequency of forensic insect species on rabbit carcass placed indoor and outdoor during autumn in AL- Kufa city Insect Succession The succession pattern of forensic insects on rabbit carcasses placed outdoor and indoor during summer and autumn, 2016 was illustrated in Table. 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively Larvae and adults of Diptera as well as Coleoptera and Formicidae adults were observed on the carcasses throughout the experimental time.the succession pattern of , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 140

6 Cole opte ra Diptera Suhad Hameed H. Albushabaa Journal of Global Pharmacy Technology. 2017; 12(9): insect associated with the stages of decomposition was similar between indoor and outdoor habitats. Differences in the timing of insect colonization were evident between the two habitats within trials for summer and autumn. As shown from results given in table( 4) and (5), during Summer, Chrysomya albiceps was the first insects attracting to the carcass during the fresh stage in both habitats followed by M. domestic which detected in little number during this stage in outdoor carcasses only. (Table4). Ch.albiceps was the most abundant fly colonized on carcasses in both habitats during the bloated stage and decay stage of carcass decomposition but most number at outdoor followed by M. domestica which also attracted to the bloat and decay stage of rabbit carcass placed outdoor and only to bloat stage of carcass placed indoor. Chrysomya megacephala has been seen on the carcass on the bloated stage (1-2 days postmortem) and decay stage (3-6 days postmortem) for carcass placed outdoor (Table 4).While, observed in the same stages at indoor but in fewer numbers (Table 5). Sarcophaga africa was detected in the fewest number during the bloated stage and began to be increased during the decay stage of carcass placed outdoor (Table 4).Also, observed in the fewest number during bloated and decay stages of carcass placed indoor ( Table 5 ). When a strong odor was noted in the decay stage, the second wave of insects started to visit the carcass, Dermestes maculates, Saprinus sp. and N. rufipes (Coleoptera) viewed at two habitats, but more visible and more abundant on carcasses placed outdoor through(3-6 days postmortem). On the other hand, Saprinus sp. appeared during bloated, decay and dry stages of rabbit carcass placed outdoor. While, N. rufipes viewed on decay and dry stages on carcasses placed indoor. Ants (Family: Formicidae) were represented by Cataglyphis sp. which was detected during fresh,bloat, decay and dry stages of rabbit carcass placed outdoor(table 4).While, firstly has seen during the decay stage then dry stage on carcass placed indoor.as shown from results given in Table (6) and (7),during Autumn, Calliphora vicina was the first insects attracting to the carcass during fresh stage in only the carcasses placed outdoor followed by M. domestic which detected in little number during this stage in outdoor carcasses only (Table6). C. vicina was detected during bloated and decay stages of rabbit carcass placed indoor (Table 7).While, detected during all stages in carcasses placed outdoor (Table 6). Ch. albiceps was the most abundant fly attracted firstly to the carcasses in indoor habitat only during the fresh stage of carcass decomposition (Table 7). However, it was also attracted to boated stage, decay stage and to the dry stage of carcass placed indoor and outdoor. Chrysomya megacephala was detected only during the bloated and decay stages of rabbit carcass placed outdoor, but in the lowest numbers at indoor.lucilia sericata was detected only during the bloated and decay stage of both habitats, but in high number during the bloat stage of carcasses placed outdoor. Sarcophaga africa was observed in high number in the decay stage of and in the little number during bloated stages of carcass placed outdoor (Table 4).While, detected in decay and dry stages of carcass placed indoor.(table 7). The coleopteran; Dermestes maculatus, Saprinus sp. and Necrobia rufipes were firstly detected during decay stage and then during dry stages of carcass placed outdoor. On the other hand, Dermestes maculatus appeared during bloated, decay and dry stages of carcass placed indoor. The ants, Cataglyphis sp. firstly seen during the bloat, decay and dry stages of carcasses placed outdoor and indoor. Table 4: Succession pattern of insects associated with rabbit carcasses placed outdoor in summer season 2016 Decomposition stages (Day) Order Family Species Fresh Bloat Decay Dry Total Muscidae M.. domestica Ch. albiceps Calliphoridae Ch. megacephala Sarcophagidae S. africa Dermestidae D.maculatus Histeridae Saprinus sp , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 141

7 Diptera Hymen optera Coleoptera Diptera Hym enopt era Coleoptera Diptera Hyme nopter a Suhad Hameed H. Albushabaa Journal of Global Pharmacy Technology. 2017; 12(9): Cleridae N. rufipes Formicidae Cataglyphis sp Table 5: Succession pattern of insects associated with rabbit carcasses placed indoor in summer season 2016 Decomposition stages (Day) Order Family Species Fresh Bloat Decay Dry Total Muscidae M. domestica Ch. albiceps Calliphoridae Ch. megacephala Sarcophagidae S. africa Dermestidae D.maculatus Histeridae Cleridae Saprinus sp N. rufipes Formicidae Cataglyphis sp Table 6: Succession pattern of insects associated with rabbit carcasses placed outdoor in autumn season 2016 Decomposition stages (Day) Order Family Species Fresh Bloat Decay Dry Total Muscidae M.. domestica C. vicina Calliphoridae Ch. albiceps Ch. megacephala L. sericata Sarcophagidae S. africa Dermestidae D.maculatus Histeridae Saprinus sp Cleridae N. rufipes Formicidae Cataglyphis sp Table 7: Succession pattern of insects associated with rabbit carcasses placed indoor in autumn season 2016 Decomposition stages (Day) Order Family Species Fresh Bloat Decay Dry Total Muscidae M.. domestica Calliphoridae C. vicina Ch. albiceps Ch. megacephala , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 142

8 Hymen optera Coleoptera Suhad Hameed H. Albushabaa Journal of Global Pharmacy Technology. 2017; 12(9): L. sericata Sarcophagidae S. africa Dermestidae D.maculatus Histeridae Saprinus sp Cleridae N. rufipes Formicidae Cataglyphis sp Discussion This study, conducted on forensically important insects observed on decomposing exposed rabbit carcasses at outdoor and indoor sites during two seasons Summer and Autumn of the year 2016.In this study, rabbits have been used as animal models to study the decomposition and insect succession by many researchers in different habitats [20,21,15].The results of this study provide additional information to forensic entomologists by identifying Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera species that are associated with the rabbit carcass in Al-Kufa city-iraq were no investigations on forensic entomology have been conducted before. Insect Fauna Associated with Rabbit Carcasses In our study, Table (1) reflected the fauna of insects associated with the rabbit carcass placed outdoor and indoor during Summer and Autumn season,2016.however,diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera dominated the carcasses fauna.the three orders that optioned different in terms of the number of families, species and individuals. The difference in aspects mentioned above can be considered natural things can be said about them as attributes of all insects when it found in any certain ecosystem [22]. Diptera was more dominant than the entire insect collected followed by Coleoptera, then Hymenoptera. This was agreeing with the most of the previous studies on forensic entomology [23-25].Field observations supported by the data recorded in the present study (Table 1) showed that all collected insect species were more abundant during the moderate temperatures of autumn season than during hot summer seasons. It was suspect that these insects are not as tolerant to high temperatures in the Summer which results in the decline of their breeding activity.these data agree with the previous studies carried out by [26, 11] which reported that seasonal activity of fly species was fluctuating depending on season and environmental condition, temperature and relative humidity from the most important factors effective the growth and development of insects. In this study the numbers of species which were collected on carcasses in summer lowest number as compared with autumn. However [27] concluded that the numbers of species which were collected on exposed carcasses in lowest number during summer as compared with other season.it is noticeable that the carcasses placed Outdoor attracted a greater diversity of insect species and a greater number of each species, compared to carcasses placed indoor (Table 1).These results are inconsistence with [28] reported no differences in the arthropod community collected from sun- and shadeexposed pig carrion in Manitoba, Canada. While, our observations are confirmed by [29] who observed that the exposed outdoor condition made it easier for the flies to oviposit on the carcass, which occurred within 15-30minutes of exposure. While, there was a delay in the oviposition of fly, in the indoor condition by two days. In this study the blow fly Ch. albiceps was the most common species invading carcasses played a fundamental role in the carcass decomposition in study sites, especially in Autumn. These findings were in agreement with [30, 25] which declaring the role of insects in carcass decomposition usually found within warm weather summer [27] while in winter it s very rare [31].These , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 143

9 results in one line with the observations in present study. In this study, flesh flies were more abundant during autumn than those in summer. In this regard [20] suspected that some of these flesh flies are not as tolerant to high temperatures in the summer which results in the decline of their breeding activity. Rabbit Carcasses Decomposition When a death occurs, the carcass will undergo physical, chemical and biological changes, these sequence changes called the decomposition which acts as PMI indicator [5]. This process is play an important role in break down and returns of the organic material back to the ecosystem. The present study (Table 2 & 3) evident that the decomposition process in the form of four stages (fresh, bloat, decay and dry). These observations were also defined by many researchers [20, 26, 32, 33].In this study, the results indicated that the decays of carcass in summer faster than in Autumn. Also, the diversity and numbers of forensic insect species which colonize carcasses were increased outdoor and decreased indoor. These observations are confirmed by [25] working on rabbit and dog carrion placed in outdoor and indoor sites.in the other words, the decomposition rates of carcass are directly proportional to the temperature. These observations are confirmed by[33].the activity of forensically important insect s arrival at carcasses and development was the important factors contributing to the decomposition of a carcass. These results agree with [34], declaring the role of insects in carcass decomposition.in addition to the geographical location and habitat which affects on development of insects [35].The fresh stage starting from the moment of death, then continue down to the bloating stage. The autolysis process begins at this stage. This may due to the active enzymes of ferments or digest [5]. The first sign we could see is a simple swelling in the abdomen in bloating stage caused by the accumulated of gases in the intestine resulting by anaerobic bacteria [36]. In the decay stage release of gases is marked at the beginning of this stage. The skin is cracked in more places as a result of feeding the dipterous larvae, the soil under carcass turns to powder and the decay odor is strong [37].The dry stage was the final phase of decomposition. Internal carcass temperature approximates that of ambient [36]. Due to its long duration of this stage, the end of it is difficult to note by many other authors. However, [11] resulted that the dry stage may be last the point when no insect fauna on the remains. Insect Succession The carcass was visited by several species of insects in sequential waves depending on the stages of decomposition. In this study, The succession pattern of important insects on the rabbit carcasses placed indoor and outdoor sites during Summer and Autumn seasons were illustrated in Table (4,5,6 and7). The insects species collected were directly attracted to the carcasses for food source or breed, whereas other species are attracted in large aggregation to other insects which provide them a resource of food. These results agree with those documented by [38]. Field observations supported by the data recorded in the present study, show that most, if not all, species of the collected Dipterous flies are more abundant during the moderate temperatures of autumn season than during hot summer season [15]. Observed that flies arrived to the carcasses various as the habitat (site).while, [39] found that there is some relationships between the decomposition stage and the insect species arrived to the carcass. Ideally, habitat and time of year, from the most important parameters that influence the species community composition on a carcass this may use to identify the season, months and years post-mortem which death occurred, or clarified the post-mortem carcass transport. However, [26] stated that the insect succession patterns occurred in a predictable sequence that different across varied seasons. In this study, the family of Calliphoridae was more abundant compared to other families being able to arrive at early decomposition stages as was observed by [40, 38] stated that on the fresh stage, there is no odor was obvious however, few calliphorid species are able to arrive at early decomposition stages.adults of Ch. albiceps were the first species visit the carcass had great abundance. These flies played a fundamental role in the carcass decomposition. These results agree with those obtained by [25] using a dog and rabbit , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 144

10 carcass. This study showed that flesh flies prefer outdoor rather than indoor sites as observed by [5] which observed that flesh flies prefer sunlight rather than shaded conditions. [41] observed that fly colonization was in high peak in bloated and decay stages whereas the odor become evident.this result in one line with our observation. In this study, flies of chrysomyinae can act as the primary species decomposer in areas where flies of calliphorinae are absent during summer as reported by [42]. While, It was found even when calliphorinae is also available, the members of Chrysomyinae can represent as primary flies [23].In this study, C.vicina was well represented in Autumn, indicative of a preference for cooler temperatures. While, Ch. albiceps, Ch. megacephala and M. domestica which present during the seasons but their populations fluctuating influenced by temperature and relative humidity. [43] Stated in the subtropics region, C. vicina occurs during winter but in the temperate zone occurs during spring and autumn. In this study, it was found that Muscidae species attracted to the rabbit carcasses and was abundant during all decomposition stages, this findings agree with[27] and [44] in Iraq. M. domestica collected as adults and no larvae visited carcasses that they indicate it was visited carcasses for feed not to breed this observation agree with [15] During this study, three families of beetles belonging to the order of Coleoptera were collected. During different decomposition stages in indoor and outdoor sites, a distinct beetle fauna is available and have a significant task in clearing the tissue. Generally, they are of a bigger significance in final phases of decomposition, according to researchers [23, 25, 45]. Dermestes maculatus was the dominant beetles being collected during the decay and dry stage of carcass decomposition, these findings are consistent with those obtained by [25] studying the succession pattern of insects colonize dog or rabbit carcasses in indoor and outdoor sites of Cairo, Egypt. Our results clarified that Cataglyphis sp. (Formicidae) observed that throughout the decomposition process were appeared to have no impact on the decomposition process. This agrees with [35] point out that ant can cause an interpretation problem relating to time since death. Ants may carry away eggs and the population of the next generation of colonizers may be reduced. References 1. Hall RD (2001) Introduction: Perceptions and status of forensic entomology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL Lord WD, Stevenson JR (1986) Directory of forensic entomologists, 2nd ed. Def Pest Mgmt., Info. Anal. Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. 3. Campo basso CP, Introna F (2001) The forensic entomologist in the context of the forensic Pathologist s role Forensic Sci Int., 120: Amendt J, Richards CS, Campobasso CP, Zehner RM, Hall JR (2011) Forensic entomology: applications and limitations. Forensic Sci. Med.Pathol., 7: Smith KGV (1986) A manual of forensic entomology. British Museum (Natural History) and Cornell University Press, Ithaca.205 PP. 6. Anderson GS, Van Laerhoven SL (1996) Initial studies on insect succession on corpse in Southwestern British Columbia. J. Forensic Sci.41: Schoenly K, Reid W (1987) Dynamics of heterotrophic succession in carrion arthropod Assemblages: Discrete seres or a continuum of change? Oecologia, 73: Goff ML (2010) Early postmortem changes and stages of decomposition. In: Amendt J et al(eds). Current concepts in forensic entomology. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer Science Business Media. B.V Braack LEO (1986) Arthropods associated with carcasses in the northern Kruger National Park. S. Afr. J. Wildl. Res., 16: Campo basso CP, Vella DG, Introna F (2001) Factors affecting decomposition and Diptera colonization. Forensic Sci. Int, 120: El-MehyI, Sief A, Soliman E, Hassan NA, Al rouf TA (2015) Application of Entomology in some medico legal issues. Austin. J. Forensic Sci. Criminol., 2: Goff ML (2000) A fly for the prosecution: How insect evidence helps solve crimes (2nd Ed.). England: Harvard University Press. 13. Anderson GS (2001) Insect succession on carrion and its relationship to determining time of death. In J.H. Byrd & J.L. Castner (Eds.). Forensic Entomology. The utility of arthropods in legal investigation ( ). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 14. Turner MG, Baker WL, Peterson Ch J, Pee RK (1998)Factors Influencing Succession:Lessons from Large, Infrequent Natural Disturbances. Ecosystems, 1: Al-Mesbah H (2010) A study of forensically important necrophagous Diptera in Kuwait. MSc. thesis, University of Central Lancashire, England. 16. Greenberg B (1990) Behavior of post feeding larvae of some Calliphoridae and a muscid(diptera). Ann. Entomology. Soc. Am. 83: De Carvalho CJB, PB Ribeiro(2000). Chave de identificação das espécies de Calliphoridae (Diptera) do Sul do Brasil. RevistaBrasi- leira de Parasitological Veterinária 9: , JGPT. All Rights Reserved 145

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